“If our Hannah stays, where does that leave you, Neil?” Jolene asked, stretching to the side with an obvious wince.
Right now, it was the million-dollar question. Hannah found herself frowning again before she shook it off.
“Do you have a pinched nerve, lass?” Neil only replied, standing up and walking around the bar. “I’ve been wondering as I watched you work. Turn around and let me help.”
She swung around slowly, smoothing her strawberry blond hair to the side. “I do have a crick in my neck, and you didn’t answer my question.”
When Neil laid his hands on her shoulders and started to gently manipulate Jolene’s muscles to release the tension, Hannah could only smile. When Neil offered to help someone without being asked, he was invested. “I think he’s thinking about staying—if Will asks him.”
Jolene suddenly gave a moan and then blanched. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Neil. Last thing you need is a worn-out single mama moaning. Except that feels so much better.”
“Every client he’s ever had says he has magic hands,” Hannah commented with a laugh.
Neil gave her a bland look at the old joke.
Jolene only cackled. “I’d say. Honey, feel free to put them on old Jolene and make her feel better. Between my boys and keeping this place running, I don’t feel like I ever have a moment to myself. Except in the bathroom now, you’ll be happy to know. Hannah, do you remember when the boys used to come in any old time? Now they won’t get close ten feet if I’m in the shower or the ladies’ room.”
“Ah, the old days.” Hannah sipped her margarita, remembering Dylan sitting on the floor waiting for her in the hallway after she’d gone to the bathroom, saying he’d missed her. “They’re growing up.”
“Aren’t they?” Jolene rolled her shoulders. “Thank you, Neil.”
“You’re most welcome.” He came around the bar and resumed his seat. “You have it flare back up, let me know.”
“I will.”
Jolene didn’t look her way, which only made Hannah cover her smile. If she knew her friend, she’d say Jolene was a little smitten. Neil was harder to read.
“Well, we’d best get back to the ranch,” Hannah announced, finishing her drink and lifting the glass. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be back for more of you.”
“Talking to a margarita now.” Jolene took her glass with an amused look. “You get your head back on, honey. Ten bucks says Ben will probably be up waiting for you.”
Her belly fluttered. Would he? She felt a smile spread across her face before she pressed her lips together. There she went, acting smitten.
Jolene started wiping down the counter after clearing their area. “Man gives you both his truck and makes a healing space for you on his spread—letting you treat a foal he’s been heard say might be the most special horse he’s ever come across—he’s working hard for some redemption.”
And she might be just the woman to give it to him.God, was that the margaritas talking?
“I told you he was different,” Jolene said pointedly, leaning on the counter. “Not that I don’t think you should be smart and make him work for it. But from that smile you just stopped short, I’d say you’re making up pretty good and remembering why you two got along so well. He’d always given you anything you wanted back in the day.”
Except Scotland.
When her old anger didn’t surface, she pressed her hand to her heart. Was it finally gone? Maybe notallthe way. That was really hopeful. But now that she understood and heard him apologize…she’d been right. She felt reborn. And all because of Ben McAllister working as hard as she was to heal the past. Somehow that made her all warm inside. Made her look forward to learning more about the man he’d become.
“Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is yes,” Jolene offered with an irreverent snort, poking her in the arm. “Girl, I can read you like a book. Ben McAllister can still make you light up like the sun.”
Neil studied his shoes while Jolene’s observation caused her pulse to pick up. Her friend was right. He sure as hell still could. Something she did need to be wise about.
“Jolene, you still open for drinks?”
Hannah stilled as Owen Kincaid walked in with his ridiculous bowlegged stance followed by a couple of cowboys. Hard living was stamped all over him, from his beady yellow eyes to the dull shine of his scraggly long brown hair.
Amber’s brother had never failed to make a move on her growing up, telling her he was a bigger and better man than Ben McAllister. Her rebuffs had only made him turn mean, pinching her and grabbing her in ways that scared her. Ben had punched him a few times, putting a stop to it. The way helooked her up and down suggested he needed another good punching.
“Nope, Owen, we’re closed,” Jolene said, crossing her arms over her plaid shirt, her oval face turning into a flintlike mask.
“But little old Hannah’s here at the bar.” He strode over quickly before Jolene could come around the bar, sending her a cocky smile. “I haven’t had a chance to welcome her back. Come on, Jolene. Don’t be a hard case. Let me buy her a drink.”
“No, Owen.” Jolene shook her head, eyes narrowed. “Last time you were in, you broke rule number one. That means you don’t get any special favors.”
